Health and Wellness: Debunking Biohacking Myths

Biohacking is all the rage these days, with countless “experts” sharing tips and tricks for optimizing your health and wellness. But with so much information out there, how do you separate fact from fiction? Today, we’re going to cut through the noise and get to the truth about biohacking.

Dave Asprey is known globally as the “Father of Biohacking.” An acclaimed health science entrepreneur, Dave is the founder of Bulletproof Coffee and Danger Coffee, a four-time New York Times bestselling author, and the host of the award-winning Top 100 podcast, “The Human Upgrade.” Recently, he launched “40 Years of Zen,” an intensive five-day program to upgrade your brain, an exclusive retreat that combines neuroscience, nutrition, and neurofeedback practices. His mission is to use biohacking techniques and technology to help people live happier, more conscious lives, improving their minds and bodies.

We asked Dave Asprey to debunk five myths about health and wellness and reveal what really works. Discover insights from the master himself to help you make informed decisions on your health journey.

At 14, I was diagnosed with arthritis in both knees. By my mid-20s, I weighed 300 pounds, was constantly sick and fatigued, and doctors told me I was at high risk for a heart attack. Though I was young for my age, my body was aging rapidly. Despite doing everything “right” — exercising two hours a day, six times a week, eating only chicken salad (no dressing) — my waist remained at 46 inches. When I realized doctors weren’t going to help me, I decided to take the problem myself.

I joined an anti-aging non-profit called the Silicon Valley Health Institute, and I was amazed to see that the 70- and 80-year-olds there were healthier and more energetic than most people in their 20s. I learned from these seniors that the tools that make older people younger are the tools that make younger people more energetic. These tools became the basis for what is now known as biohacking, a term I invented and now in the dictionary. Biohacking means “controlling your environment, both around you and inside you, to gain complete control over your biological functions.” Biohacking helped me lose 100 pounds, increase my IQ, and reverse my biological age. So that you don’t have to, I spent $1 million hacking and experimenting to find out what works. Here are 5 myths about health and longevity and what works instead:

Myth #1: A plant-based diet is the key to longevity

You may have seen health gurus recommending a vegan diet as the secret to longevity. The problem is, a plant-based diet is packed with toxins that weaken you. For example, oxalic acid is an anti-nutrient found in spinach and kale that forms sharp crystals in the body. These crystals deposit in joints and tissues and cause a variety of problems. Ouch. Other toxins found in plants, such as phytic acid, prevent the body from absorbing minerals. This is a problem because minerals are the fuel for all the chemical reactions that happen in your cells. Without minerals, your body can’t function. The solution is a diet rich in grass-fed animal foods and low-toxicity plants. To learn more, check out my book: Bulletproof Diet.

Myth #2: You can get all your nutrients from food alone

Today, our soils contain far fewer minerals than they once did. Therefore, the foods we eat are less nutritious than they once were, making it much harder to meet our vitamin and mineral needs through diet alone. As a result, many people are deficient in one or more vitamins and minerals, which can lead to chronic disease and accelerated aging. To combat this, I take Vitamin DAKE (Fat Soluble Vitamins D, A, K, E) and Mineral Complex daily, made by my company, Suppgrade Labs.

Myth #3: You have to exercise for hours to see results

This is something I’ve believed to be true for a long time. I used to work out on a treadmill for hours. Now I only work out 20 minutes a week and I’m around 7% body fat. The trick is to do the right kind of exercise that sends intense signals to your body for a short period of time. One example is REHIT (low-resistance, high-intensity training), which we use at Upgrade Labs, my human performance facility. It’s two 20-second sprints on an AI-powered bike. It’s designed to improve your cardiovascular fitness as much as a 45-minute run, in just five minutes.

Myth #4: The longer the fast, the better

I’ve always been a big fan of fasting. But a lot of people do it wrong. Believe it or not, more isn’t always better, especially when it comes to fasting and the ketogenic diet. Excessive fasting stresses your body, throws off hormone balance, and ages you sooner than you’d like. That’s why I wrote a book on how to fast the right way, called “Fast This Way.” There are days when breakfast is okay, but avoid anything sugary. If you’ve just traveled the world, had your period at the wrong time, lifted heavy, or are extremely stressed, you may not want to fast.

Myth #5: Biohacking and longevity applies to everyone

Here’s the truth: what works for me may not work for you. Your biology is unique and your goals are probably different from mine. You have your own recipe for longevity based on your specific goals, overall condition and current state. This is why I launched an exciting cutting edge tool powered by AI. Based on wearable and test data, the tool makes personalized recommendations on different biohacks, supplements and more that people can do to improve their health and wellness. Now you can order tests and get the data you need without having to go to the doctor or deal with insurance companies. We tell you exactly what to do based on your personal biology and goals. The core idea is to provide people with information to become their own health advocates. You can sign up at upgradehealth.com.